Rangers topple Twins

Jul 9, 2006, 22:20 GMT

Arlington, TX - Mark Teixeira's sixth-inning, two-run homer gave Texas the lead and the Rangers went on to defeat the Minnesota Twins, 5-2, at Ameriquest Field.

Gary Matthews Jr. also hit a two-run homer for the Rangers, who head into the All-Star break with a 45-43 mark. Hank Blalock also drove in a run for Texas, which has won three of four.

Luis Castillo went 3-for-4 and Lew Ford went 2-for-3 with an RBI for the Twins, who lost two of three to the Rangers and go into the break dropping four of five. Minnesota, though, has a 47-39 record.

Minnesota starter Johan Santana (9-5) suffered the loss, allowing five runs on seven hits with one walk and seven strikeouts in seven innings. The loss was the first in six decisions for the left-hander, who last suffered a setback 10 starts ago on May 17.

With the Twins leading 2-1, the Rangers went ahead for good with Teixeira's blast in the sixth. Ian Kinsler started the inning with a base hit and scored ahead of the one-out homer, which was Teixeira's ninth of the season.

Then, in the seventh, Matthews put the game out of reach with his own two-run homer, which also came off Santana. After retiring the first two batters, Santana walked Rod Barajas and then yielded the homer.

Rick Bauer (3-1) got the win in relief of starter John Koronka, tossing one perfect inning. Akinori Otsuka worked the ninth for his 17th save.

Koronka allowed two runs on six hits with two walks and four strikeouts in five innings.

Minnesota jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the second when Ford singled home Michael Cuddyer, who also had singled to start the inning.

In the third, Castillo singled to start the inning, moved to third on a Nick Punto double, and scored on Joe Mauer's ground out.

Texas cut the deficit to 2-1 in the fourth when Blalock singled home Michael Young.

Game Notes

Mauer ended 0-for-4 and heads into the All-Star break with a .378 average.

Justin Morneau ended 1-for-4 to extend his hitting streak to 16 games.

Young went 1-for-4.

© 2006 The Sports Network